Turning 63 today brought back a lot of memories, some of pure ecstacy, some of pure agony, of following my Red Raiders. After living on the Gulf Coast most of my life, my first date with Tech was needless to say, not very inspiring. Enduring a 10 hour drive to see dust, tumbleweeds and a brown summer landscape wasn't very compelling. Arriving on the outskirts of Lubbock and being met with an odor from hell made me wonder what I had gotten myself in to. But with my fiance at my side saying "just wait, you'll love it" I continued on til I saw my new home Doak Hall. Since she was a resident of Weeks Hall at least we could unload at the same location. It didn't take long to discover the beauty of Tech. And within a month I knew she was right. Being the son of a coach, sports had always played a major role in my life and soon my guns were up. Those early games led to a lifelong love affair with my red raiders. Didn't matter which sport, they were my team. If hardships indeed make you stronger, then I would be a man of steel. But with adversity came euphoria too. Watching UH snatch the SWC title in the snow at the Jones was countered by watching Rodney Allison drive opponents crazy. Sitting at Kyle Field and hearing an Aggie scream "Will someone block that damn Mexican" as Gabe destroyed them was awesome. Seeing Rick Bullock setting records and exhaust himself playing 4 straight nights to win the new SWC basketball tourney for an NCAA bid was incredible. SMU returning a kickoff as time expired on a cross field lateral was balanced by the amazing Crabtree catch, Welker's return, and Zach's interception. What raider wasn't running and jumping around screaming like a possessed demon after those. Driving 18 hours for the college world series in Omaha or 14 to the Gator Bowl seems like a short commute to see my team. I feel pity for others who don't experience the feelings that run through my heart and soul. But after 40+ years, I've realized that the struggles have made the victories even more enjoyable. The longer the journey, the greater the joy of arriving at the destination. Reading "The Little Engine that Could" to my grandkids is the story of Tech athletics. I know that in a few years I'll be watching my red raiders from a different vantage point. But until then, I'll be wearing the red and black, and enjoying every moment of the struggle to bring that first major championship banner back to the plains of West Texas and my love, The Texas Tech Red Raiders.
